Dispensing machine for soft or semi-fluid materials



J. T. JONES June 19, 1956 DISPENSING MACHINE FOR SOFT OR SEMI-FLUID MATERIALS Filed Oct. 23, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2

I'NVENTOR JAMES T JONES ATTORNEY J. T. JONES June 19, 1956 DISPENSING MACHINE FOR SOFT OR SEMI-FLUID MATERIALS Filed 001;. 25, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 8 INVENTOR JAMES T JONES F /QZ%/ ATTORNEY DISPENSINE 'MAGHINE 'FORSOFT'OR SEMI-FLUID MATERIALS This invention relates to dispensing machines and is -more-partioularly directed to a machine fordispensing a soft semi-fluid 1soap,-'hand cleaner or emulsion.

The primary object of this invention is to provide .a

--machine "that will dispense a semi-fluid hand cleaner sup- -plied iii-cylindrical cans, without first removing the .con-

tents from the cans to fill the machine, and which utilizes acan, inverted, as a. telescoping part of the apparatus .for

dispensing the contents thereof.

Another .object is to supply a dispensing machine with uniogue air-vent provisions which makepossible the filling of .a dispensing machine by such a semi-fluid substance by-metelyipressing an open, inverted can thereover.

A iunther object is to make provisions for the admission of air toa-piston-operated dispensing machine-having -atelescoping top after the contents of such machine have been lowered to a level below the minimum telescoping height, and to'avoid expulsion of any of the contents on the return stroke of the piston.

The invention consists in the provision of .a standard having a cylinder bore in its upper end in which .apiston is'slidably mounted, the piston being actuated by a mancausingrnateiial to .be'ejected through a passage connected :thereto, the material in the passage being drawn back into the bore during the return stroke of the piston so that it will not be exposed to atmosphere.

. in the drawings:

Fig. l .is .a sectional .elevational view of a dispensing machine embodying ,theinvention,

Fig. 2 is .a sectional view taken substantially along "the line2-'2 of Fig. 1,

Fig 3 is .a plan view of the wall bracket for the dispenser shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the bracket shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the clamp for the wall bracket,

.Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the clamp taken substan- .tially along the line 6 "6 of Fig. 5,

' Fig. 7 is ,an end view of the assembled clamp and bracket,

Fig.8 is a sectional elevational view of a portionoflthe dispenser shown in modified'form.

The .body 1 is penetrated by a vertical bore 2 of relatively small diameter, the upper end of which is coa'Xially counterboredand progressively enlarged by a rod-receiving counterbore 3, .a cylinder bore 4, and "a funnel lik'e tapered bore 5 which leads into the cylinder bore '4, .the latter thereby serving as an operating 'siimpfor .the disp'ensing machine. A disc-like piston 6 is slidably received within the cylinder bore 4, being mountedont'o'the upper end of apiston rod 7 which is adapted ,for reciprocation widiin the rod-receiving counterbore 3 and is of "but slightly smaller diameter. However, beneath the piston 6 and extending for a length greater than thedepth or the cylinder bore 4, the piston rod 7 has a necked-down @portion '7 (of substantially lesser diameter than that -.of the rod-receiving portion 3, whereby to provide an annular flow passage as hereinafter described. The necked- -down portion'7: joins the remainder of the rod 7 at an annular shoulder referred to asthe 'valving shoulder 7. The length ;of-the necked-down :portion 7- between the :piston -16 and the valving shoulder 7" is .sornewhatgreater --than:the dept-h of thecylinder bore4.

Theipiston rod 7 "based its lower end an actuating :rod

-S "threaded therein, which extends downward through Ea -coiled restoring spring 25 seated in the bottom of the counterbore-.3,and hooks at its lower end about ;an ,actuati'ng lever -9 pivoted to a bracket 10 integral with-afoot lil EfOI the machine. The hookon-rodti is disposed --.be-

tween two downwardly extending .projeetions formed on --the lowerside of the lever 5 A 'suitablepinds inserted in the bracket about which the' levert-pivots. The foot-11 has-aboss-,14-.on its uppersideand an adjusting screw-15 is threaded into 'the foot and boss and is also adapted to -be-.-threaded into a lock nut--15aset in thefioorarid .i-n addition-functions as -a stop for limiting the'down- *ward movement of the lever 9. The lock nut i5a2serves -:as-. an "anchor thus securing the footof the machine. The adjusting screw 1-5 further serves :as a-meehanismtfor -regulatingthe -;a-n1ount1of material to be' dispcnsed or meteredas-required by the men and also lprevents'damage to the-piston such as by a powerful .downstroke of "the lever 9. =Upstrokes areactuated by therestoring spring 25 whoseuextended height issufficient'to' raise -the piston -6 out of -the upper end of the cylinder-bore 4,.-'permitting material within the funnel-like tapered bore .5 to =be displaced downward within the cylinder bore 4.

A tube 1-6 is arranged between the body -1 and the foot 11, it being snugly fitted about projection 14 and projection 17 on vthefoot and body'respectively. The tube constitutes a standard for the machine anddisposes it a convenient distance above the door. Suitable-retaining means are provided between the tube and the-twoprojections .for the purpose of preventing .separation' thereof.

The body portion has a portion machined therefrom "as at 18. This-is an outwardly or reversely tapered cut :of about two degrees and cooperates wit-h a similarly or-complementally interiorly tapered surface-in a transparent tapered .iplastic tubular open-top container 19. The =dianteter of .theplastic container 19 is made ar-littleesmaller than the diameter .of the tapered portion of the :body member. The plastic container 19'isthen heated forthe purpose of expanding it and whenitsdiameteris large enough the plastic container is fitted over the tapered portion of the body .and'then allowed .tocool and shrink onto the body 1. Experience has proven. this-to bealeakproof as well 'as mechanically strong connection inaddition to being much more economical than other types of joints.

A receptacle a containing a waterless type tot-hand cleaner is inverted and slipped over the open-top container l9. Gravitational action forces the contents .of the receptacle :1 into the container 19. The same action also causes the cleaner -to'fill the cylinder bore 4. Air isvented to the space above the cleaner through a .tubeZl connected to a vertical vent passage or duct 22 formed in the body '1. This vent passage 22 terminates at its lower end within aslanting discharge passage :23-which "leads outward from the counterbore 3.from a level theretelescoping container and receptacle varies from 0.003 inch up to 0.056 inch which allows the two members to telescope, prevents air passing between them thereby avoiding deterioration of the cleaner by oxidation and the cleaner at its proper consistency. When clearance exceeds the maximum limit the cleaner is not preserved and when clearance is less the receptacle and container bind as well as interfering with gravitational and vacuum action on the cleaner and receptacle.

After the cleaner has filled the cylinder bore 4 it is ready to be dispensed therefrom. The lever 8 is depressed which pulls piston 6 into the cylinder bore 4, and lowers the valving shoulder 7 of the piston rod 7 proximating lard at 60 F. The clearance between the liquidation and dripping from the nozzle thus preserving below the level of the inner end of the discharge passage 23', thus pushing the contents from the bore 4 into the annular space between the wall of the counterbore 3 and 'the necked-down portion 7 of the rod 7, thence through the discharge passage 23' and then out of the discharge nozzle 23. When the lever 8 is depressed spring is energized by compressing same and when the lever is released the spring returns the piston to the position shown in Fig. 1. During this upstroke a sub-atmospheric pressure is created in the cylinder bore below the piston 6 and air entering the nozzle 23 will carry along with it any cleaner that may be therein. As cleaner again fills the cylinder bore the space between the top of the cleaner in container 19 and the closed end of receptacle 20 will be gradually lowered by telescoping of the receptacle on the container 2 until the receptacle lowers to the position shown in Figure 1. If the receptacle is not then replaced by a new full receptacle, as the contents of the container 2 are further drawn oif, the receptacle will be' kept filled with air drawn largely through tube 21 although some may enter the space by passing between the receptacle and the container. The dispenser is now in condition for the next operation.

- The body 1 has a dovetailed bracket integrally associated therewith. This cooperates with a combination wall bracket and clamp 27. This device comprises a plate 28 provided with a plurality of apertures 29 through which screws may extend threaded into expansion nuts set in'a masonry or other type wall. Other means of securing the plate to the wall may be employed and the reason for the large number of holes 29 is that at least two of them will line up with mortar joints in the event the plate is to be secured to a brick wall. The plate has a dovetailed projection 30 thereon that abuts against the dovetail portion of the bracket 26. A U clamp 31 is provided with a V groove in each leg thereof inwhich the abutted dovetail portions are received. A screw 33 extended through one leg of the clamp is threaded into the other leg. When the screw is turned home or'tightened the legs of the U clamp are drawn towards each other so that the V grooves force the dovetailed portions together and therefor tightly clamp the parts together into a rigid structure. A welch plug (not shown) is fitted into the aperture 34. The U clamp is suitably contoured for the purpose of covering the plate 28 thus causing it to present a neat appearance.

Fig. 8 is a view showing the upper part of a device similar to that shown in Fig. l in which the same parts bear the same reference numerals. The piston is cone shaped. The apex of the cone points upwardly into the cleaner for facilitating movement thereof into the cylinder bore by reducing resistance to piston movement thus increasing the vacuum in the bore thereby causing it to be more rapidly filled. The length of the vent tube 21 and its tapered or slanted end is proportioned the same as in Fig. l. A clamp 36 is placed about the container 19 about the reverse taper thereon for aiding in locking the receptacle thereto. The action of this device is identical to that described above. The clamp and cone shaped piston may be applied to the Fig. l disclosure if so desired.

Attention is directed to certain specific problems attendant to dispensing semi-fluid substances. Unlike true fluids, such substances cannot be poured into a dispenser. If the receptacle in which such a substance is furnished be inverted over the container of the dispenser, the dispenser cannot be vented upward. Without an air vent outlet, it would be impossible to force the semi-fluid substance into the dispensers container.

- Additional problems arise afterthe dispensers container has been filled. Utilizing an inverted receptacle telescopingly over the dispenser, there is no air space above the dispensers contents until the level of contents within the dispensers container has dropped below the level of telescoping. Thereafter, there must be an air space over the contents, and consequently an air vent inlet. But if the return stroke of the dispenser piston forces out some air through the vent, it may also exude or splatter out a small amount of the semi-fluid substance.

The unique air vent means herein provided solves all of these problems. It is intended that the container 19 will normally be refilled when the level of the contents drops to approximately the level of the tapered end opening 21' of the vent tube 21. When a receptacle 0 is inverted and pressed in place over the container 19 "the air in the partly-filled container 19 is forced out through the end opening 21' and vent tube 21 through the vertical vent passage 22 and out the nozzle 23. If, however, the level of the contents of the container 19 be substantially below the tapered end opening 21', and a first filled receptacle a be pressed all the way down over the container 19, a small quantity of semi-fluid substance will be forced out through the vent tube 21 and discharged from the nozzle 23. This loss is not desirable, but it is too small to be seriously disadvantageous; and since it proceeds from the discharge nozzle 23 it is less objectionable'than if there were an undesired discharge from some vent not associated with the discharge nozzle.

Such receptacle may be removed by lifting it upwards, first closing the discharge nozzle 23 with a finger-tip. A second filled receptacle may be inverted and placed over the container 19, any air between its contents and those of the container 19 being expelled through the vent tube 21 by downward pressure; and such second receptacle may then be left in elevated position, to telescope gradually downward over the outer wall of the container 19, under pressure of the atmosphere, as the contents of the container 19 are gradually dispensed. 7

After a receptacle has lowered to the position shown in Figure 1, air must be admitted to the container 19 to make possible further discharge of the container contents. Whenever the piston 6 shown in Figure 1 (or the piston 35 of Figure 8) is raised, the air space within the container 19 will be lessened. Should air be admitted to fillthe container 19 when the piston 6 is lowered by a dis charge stroke, the amount of air so admitted would be too great. The return piston stroke would force out the excess air, and some of the semi-fluid contents might splatter out with it.

I solve this problem by having the lower end of the ventpassage 22 communicate with the discharge passage 23", which is filled with semi-fluid substance on the discharge stroke of the piston but emptied by the upstroke of the piston. Air cannot enter the vent duct 22 through the nozzle 23 as long as the discharge passage 23' is so ens-1,124

"filled. Therefore, the entrance "ofairis delayed until the upstroke of'the piston6, andtheiam'ount ofairwhich then enters is limited'to the rimount' 'necessary to replace the contents which were discharged bythe downstroke.

That which is regarded new, novleland .usefuland Jfording communication between said first passage andthe upper portion of said vessel, a shaft-operable inv and .along the axis of said bore, a piston onsaid shaft adapted to bedrawn thereby from within the vessel downward into and toward the base of the sump, and to be-returned thereby upward to and above thetop of the sump, the

shaft having-a valving portion subjacent the piston serving to close the bore when the piston is raised above the top of the sump and to establish flow communication through the bore between the sump and said first passage when the piston is within-the sump, 'a column supporting the vesseland enclosing the shaft beneath the sump, and

pedal means operatively connectedto said shaft for lowcring and raising the shaft within the bore.

2. A dispenser for semi-fluid substances comprising a vessel, a cylindrical sump in the base thereof, a bore through the base of the cylindrical sump, a discharge nozzle having a first passage communicating with said bore and a second passage affording communication be tween said first passage and the upper portion of said vessel, a shaft operable in and along the axis of said bore, :1 piston on said shaft, the principal diameter of the shaft fitting slidingly within said bore and being adapted to close it when the piston is raised above the top of the sump, a segment of the shaft subjacent the piston having a reduced cross-sectional area and being of such depth as to establish fiow communication through the bore between said first passage and the sump when the piston is within the sump, and means operatively connected to said shaft for drawing the piston into and toward the base of the sump thereby discharging its contents through said first passage, and for returning the piston upward to the top of the sump, thereby sucking the contents remaining in the passage back into the sump, and for raising the piston above the top of the sump, whereby the contents of the vessel are permitted to flow into the sump.

3. A dispenser for semi-fluid substances comprising a cylindrical open-top vessel, a cylindrical sump in the base thereof, a bore through the base of the cylindrical sump, a discharge nozzle having a first passage communicating with said bore and a second passage affording communication between said first passage and the upper portion of said vessel, a shaft operable in and along the axis of said bore, a piston on said shaft adapted to be drawn thereby from within the vessel downward into and toward the base of the sump, and to be returned thereby upward to and above the top of the sump, the shaft having a valving portion subjacent the piston serving to close the bore when the piston is raised above the top of the sump and to establish flow communication through the bore between the sump and the said first passage when the t piston is within the sump, a cylindrical receptacle adapted to be inverted over and positioned in telescoping relationship to said open-top vessel when said vessel and receptacle are filled with such a semi-fluid substance and to be drawn downward telescopingly as the contents of the vessel are gradually discharged, and means operatively connected with the shaft for drawing the piston into and toward the base of the sump thereby discharging its contents through said first passage, and for returning the piston upward and raising it above the top of the sump whereby the contents of the vessel are urged to flow into the sump.

'4. A dispenser" for semi-fluid 1 substances as defined *claim 3, together with an air'ven't'tube extending upward into 'said' vessel and communicating at its ilowerend jwith said second passage to 'said discharge ino'zzle whereby air is admitted to permit continued'discharge'of such semifluid-substances from the vessel after'the receptac'leis lowered so'that its'base'contactsthe top of the vessel.

'5. A 'dispenser'for semi-fluid substances comprising a vessel, a sump in the base thereof, abore through the base of the sump, a discharge nozzle having .a lfirst: passage communicating with said 'boreand a second'passageafl 't'ording .cornmunication.betweensaidfirst passage and the upper portionof said vessel, a'shaftoperabl'e in and along the axis of .said bore, a piston on "said shaft, the shaft having a valving portion subjacent the piston'andserving to close offsaid first passage whenthe piston is raised and .to establish flow (communication through the'fbore between the sump and saidfirst'passage' when the piston is lowered, and means operatively connecte'd'with the shaft for drawing the piston towarduthe .base of-ithe sump whereby its contents are discharge'dinto and through said first passage,=-and for returning the piston upward whereby the contents of the vessel are permitted to fiowxinto the sump.

6. A dispenser adapted to dispense semi-fluid substances furnished in cylindrical cans from such cans which have been opened by removal of their tops, comprising an open-top cylindrical vessel having an outer diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of such can, whereby such can so opened and containing such semi-fluid substance may be inverted and pressed telescopingly in place over the vessel, further comprising a vessel base having a vented tube extending upward therein, a reciprocating discharge piston, operating mechanism therefor operatively connected therewith, a discharge bore associated therewith, and a discharge nozzle having a first passage communicating with said discharge bore and a second passage communicating between said first passage and said vented tube, whereby on inverting such opened can filled with such semi-fluid substance, placing it in position telescopingly atop said vessel, and pressing it downward, air within said vessel beneath the semi-fluid contents of such can is driven out through said vented tube, said second passage, and said discharge nozzle, permitting such semi fluid substance to descend toward the base of the vessel.

7. A dispenser adapted to dispense semi-fluid substances furnished in cylindrical cans from such cans which have been opened by removal of their tops, comprising an open-top cylindrical vessel having an outer diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of such can, whereby such can so opened and containing such semi-fluid sub stance may be inverted and pressed telescopingly in place over the vessel, further comprising a vessel base having a vented tube extending upward therein, and communicating through the base to vent to the atmosphere, a reciprocating discharge piston in said base, operating mechanism operatively connected therewith, a discharge bore associated therewith, a discharge nozzle communicating with said discharge bore, and a ventcommunicating between the base of said vented tube and the exterior, whereby on inverting such opened can filled with such semi-fluid substance, placing it in position telescopingly atop said vessel, and pressing it downward, air within said vessel beneath the semi-fluid contents of such inverted can is driven out through said vented tube and vent, whereafter on operating said piston the pressure of the atmosphere causes such inverted can to descend progressively with its sides telescopingly outward of said vessel until the bottom of such can contacts the upper portion of said vessel.

8. A reciprocating piston-type dispenser adapted to dispense semi-fluid substances furnished in cylindrical cans from such cans which have been opened by removal of their tops, comprising a cylindrical vessel having an open top including a smooth upper margin and having an outer diameter slightlyless than the inner diameter of such can, whereby such can so opened and containing such semi-fluid substance may be inverted and pressed telescopingly in place over the vessel and descend until the'bot'tom of such can closes against said upper margin, further comprising a vessel, base having a vented tube extending upward therein, a reciprocating discharge piston, operating mechanism therefor operatively connected therewith, a discharge bore associated therewith, and a discharge nozzle having a first passage communicating with said discharge bore and a second passage communi- ReferencesCited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Mary Jan. 18, 1870 Weber et al. Dec. 5, 1876 8 -Laumann -Apr: 9, Townsend Feb. 27, Burgner' May 25, Rohowitz Feb. 14, Sprague Nov. 9, Wise," Mar. 13, Schatz July 15, Pike Aug. 9, Bloodhart July 10, Pritchard May 6, Thatcher Apr. 21, Wilson July 25, Holmes Dec. 5, Forman May 7, Morlok July 30, Anthony Aug. 22, 'Feinson 'Jan. 13, Antonia et al. Sept, 16, Turner July 13, Stanley e t -al. July 26, Sundholm Feb. 5,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great'Britain Mar. 26,

Norway .1. Nov. 13, 

